THE LAST CUT - Softcover

Pearce, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006510817 ISBN 13: 9780006510819

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2011

Synopsis

In this classic mystery from Michael Pearce’s award-winning series, set in the Egypt of the 1900s, the Mamur Zapt investigates the discovery of a young woman’s body at the site of a dam.

Cairo, 1908. When an attempt is made to blow up a key regulator in the Cairo Barrage, the Mamur Zapt, British head of Cairo’s secret police, is called in to investigate.

To make matters worse, the ceremonial cutting of a dam always requires careful policing, especially on this occasion as it is going to be the Last Cut. Which means the discovery of a young woman’s body at the site of the dam is extremely embarrassing. Is this the traditional ritual sacrifice? Or something more sinister?

About this title

Review:

‘Takes apart ancient history and reassembles it with beguiling wit and colour’ Sunday Times

‘Marvellously convoluted... Dryly and deeply funny’ Literary Review

‘Urbane, intelligent and never patronising, Pearce writes about Egypt with the observant eye of the lover who sees yet forgives all faults’ Val McDermid

‘Irresistible fun’ Time Out

‘An entertaining story in which the author has cleverly woven a mystery into the background of the city, bringing it and its varied population to noisy life’ Sunday Telegraph

Synopsis:

The latest novel in Michael Pearce's award-winning series, set in the Egypt of the 1900s. 'Irresistible fun' Time Out. Everything in Egypt depends on the water of the Nile. So when an attempt is made to blow up a key regulator in the Cairo Barrage, Gareth Owen -- the Mamur Zapt, Chief of Cairo's Secret Police -- is hurriedly called in. What exactly is a regulator, though? Owen doesn't know. But then, he doesn't know many things: who is the Lizard Man, for instance, and why does he appear to have a grudge against Egypt's irrigation system? Quite unconnected (or is it?) is the ceremonial cutting of a dam which allows water to flow through the city. It is a ceremony which always requires policing, but on this occasion more than ever, for it is going to be the Last Cut. Which makes the discovery of a young woman's body at the site of the dam extremely embarrassing. Is this the traditional ritual sacrifice? Definitely not, says Owen -- but this could be another of the things he doesn't know...

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0006510817
• ISBN 13: 9780006510819
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 194